"Ahem… Sarutobi Shinnosuke used the Shadow Clone Technique to assassinate me. He was also the one who planned the explosion that cost me bot
"Ahem… Sarutobi Shinnosuke used the Shadow Clone Technique to assassinate me.
He was also the one who planned the explosion that cost me both legs."
"It was all meant to wipe out the Senju clan."
"To let my clan disappear, becoming nothing but nourishment for the Sarutobi."
"So tell me—what's your choice, my sister?"
Senju Nawaki raised his head, his face terrifyingly calm, and stared at Tsunade.
His sister, raised under the guidance of Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and the Third Hokage, still wavered at the most critical moment.
"Impossible! The village already investigated the explosion before—it was the demolition squad from Iwagakure!"
Hatake Sakumo's brows furrowed sharply as he growled back.
If what Nawaki said were true, Konoha would be thrown into chaos.
Even weakened and divided, the Senju clan was still one of the strongest in Konoha in terms of influence.
This had to be a conspiracy by enemy villages to fracture Konoha from within. Nawaki must not be allowed to fall into that trap—especially now, when Senju Dōma had awakened Wood Release.
"He tried to kill me twice. He even sent his own son to do it—you all saw it.
The greatest irony? That the Hokage's personal guard needed protection from the Hokage himself."
A sneer spread across Nawaki's lips as he pulled something from his robes and tossed it to Hatake Sakumo.
Sakumo caught it and glanced down—his heart sank.
It was a ninja forehead protector, marked with an Anbu number. The owner: Shuichi Yamanaka.
He remembered clearly. Some time ago, Shuichi had been dispatched by the Hokage on a mission. The timing of that assignment had coincided exactly with the attempt on Nawaki's life. And now… this forehead protector lay in Nawaki's hands.
"Could this really be… a conspiracy from another village?" Sakumo thought, doubt gnawing at him.
Bound against the trees, Jiraiya thrashed madly, eyes bloodshot. Even drained of chakra, he writhed as though denying the very reality before him.
Orochimaru, meanwhile, leaned against the wall with his arms folded, expression unreadable, as if none of this had anything to do with him.
"Impossible! The teacher would never do that!"
Tsunade shook her head furiously, voice trembling. She wanted to explain away every word for Sarutobi Hiruzen's sake.
Her eyes fell on Nawaki's mutilated body, and a storm of emotions tore at her—but in the end, she still chose to believe Hiruzen.
Senju Dōma watched her quietly, his eyes heavy with resignation.
"In terms of politics and manipulation… Sarutobi Hiruzen surpasses Hashirama and Tobirama a hundred—no, a thousandfold."
That was why the Senju clan had lost.
But now, at least, Nawaki's resolve shone clearly. In this dark world, he could still support the Senju and keep them from vanishing.
"Oh…"
Nawaki sneered, as if her reaction were expected.
"If Konoha is truly sincere, then I will return to my Fief. All I ask is that Sarutobi Shinnosuke admit his crime—then the Senju will return to Konoha."
"But as of now, I declare this."
"The Senju clan will leave Konoha."
His words silenced the ward.
After speaking, Nawaki nodded at Senju Dōma, then fixed his gaze on Hatake Sakumo.
Rumble—
Dōma understood the signal. Forming hand seals, he released the Advent of the World of Trees technique.
The dense forest that had overtaken Konoha's camp began to crumble, withdrawing into the earth until not a single branch remained.
"This…" Sakumo thought, stunned.
Judging by everything that had happened—Nawaki was indeed the victim.
"Nawaki, do you even understand what you're saying? The Senju were the founders of Konoha!" Tsunade cried.
"You bastard—you still remember that the Senju founded Konoha?"
"Look at the state of our clan. Look at how far we've been pushed. We fight on the deadliest frontlines, while in return we're drowned in abuse and accusations."
"Is this the so-called Will of Fire Sarutobi Hiruzen preaches?"
"What has he twisted it into?"
Senju Dōma's aura flared violently, his killing intent pressing down on the room. He glared at Tsunade, his voice rumbling.
"Sister, open your eyes. The Senju have been reduced to this."
"Forget comparing us to the Uchiha—even the Sarutobi and Shimura clans now stand higher than us."
"And do you know why? Because they fattened themselves on Senju blood."
Nawaki's expression hardened with disappointment.
Chakra was more than energy—
it was communication.
Influence.
Assimilation.
The powerful could sway the weak with their chakra alone.
Since childhood, Hiruzen had taught them, raised them, and branded them with his chakra. Bit by bit, it brainwashed them—erasing their true selves.
The only way to break free of that near-permanent illusion was to surpass the Third Hokage in power.
Nawaki realized it now: that was why the old snake Hiruzen so often lectured at the Academy, radiating his chakra across generations, strengthening his grip on Konoha.
Hatake Sakumo, Tsunade, and even Orochimaru fell silent, lost in thought.
Memories from countless missions rose in their minds.
Time and again, the Senju clan had been sent on the dirtiest, most grueling assignments, their strength drained while others reaped the glory.
The Sarutobi, the Shimura, and other 'new' clans had grown fat off the Senju's sacrifice.
And the Uzumaki—once their closest allies—the Senju had given their all to defend them. Yet in the end, it was Konoha who signed the alliance, claiming the credit, betraying the Senju who stood as their shield.
The more they thought about it, the heavier the silence grew.
They no longer had any words to stop Nawaki's declaration.
"Pfft... What nonsense! No matter what, the Senju are part of Konoha. Isn't it their duty to contribute?"
Jiraiya crashed to the ground as the Wood Release bindings unraveled.
Spitting out the leaves from his mouth, he staggered to his feet, pointing an accusing finger at Nawaki.
"What you're doing now is tearing Konoha apart! Don't you see? The wars ahead will crush the village if we're divided!"
"If the Senju must be sacrificed, then so be it!"
His voice cracked with desperation.
Nawaki's lips curled into a smile colder than steel.
"As expected of Sarutobi Hiruzen's prized disciple. That shamelessness runs deep—passed straight down from your master."
"Konoha? It's nothing but Hiruzen's tool now. I don't recognize it."
"But… if Sarutobi Shinnosuke himself comes forward and admits the truth, then fine."
"The Senju will still fight and die for Konoha."
Nawaki's eyes narrowed.
In his past life, he had never seen shamelessness taken to such extremes. Not even by his old Professor.
This distortion of right and wrong was staggering.
But he wondered—could even a man like Jiraiya bring back the dead?